'It's Manly or bust': Moylan reportedly wants out

MATT Moylan won't be back for Penrith this weekend and there's every chance he'll be leaving Sydney's west for good at season's end.

The Panthers captain was given time off from the game to deal with personal issues and while he reportedly asked to play in his side's semi-final clash against Brisbane on Friday night, the club overruled him.

Reports have suggested Moylan had a falling out with coach Anthony Griffin and rumours are swirling about whether the NSW representative will be at the club next year, despite having four years left to run on his contract.

Channel Seven rugby league reporter Josh Massoud says Moylan will likely be heading to Manly in 2018 because of his desire to live closer to the beach and his close relationship with former Penrith assistant and now Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett.

"He only wants to go to one place and that is the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles," Massoud told Sky Sports' Big Sports Breakfast.

"That night after he was dropped in Melbourne (for going out drinking and breaking team curfew), Trent Barrett actually picked up the phone and phoned Matt Moylan and gave him some condolences. That's highly unusual for a rival club to do that.

"We spoke last week about Matty Moylan being a keen surfer, wanting to live by the beach. I can tell you eight clubs have shown interest in him, believe it or not the Bulldogs have shown a bit of interest, which is quite laughable (given their salary cup drama).

"It's Manly or bust as I'm hearing and the moves from Manly are under way to clear up space. (Five-eighth) Blake Green is looking at a three-year deal over with the New Zealand Warriors, (backup playmaker) Jackson Hastings has also been put on the market if he wants to find another club for the final year of his contract."

Moylan's manager is adamant his client hasn't asked for a release from Penrith, but Massoud says a move to Sydney's northern beaches is definitely on the cards.